Many women with female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs) struggle to be mindfully aware and engaged during sexual activity. Instead, “mindless” engagement with their partner and their own body can lead to distraction from the moment, increased anxiety, decreased relaxation, and an inability to tune into pleasurable sensations. Traditional cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques for FSDs have tried to target women’s difficulties in engaging in the sexual moment, but a recent and promising addition to the treatment of FSDs to more directly target “mindless” sex involves the inclusion of mindfulness - a Buddhist meditation practice.

Two previous studies have evaluated the incorporation of mindfulness exercises into a brief group treatment for women with sexual difficulties (Brotto, Basson, & Luria, 2008; Brotto et al., 2008). Although lacking control groups, these studies demonstrated significant increases in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction, and significantly reduced sexual distress.
To extend upon prior research, a mindfulness-based online treatment for mixed FSDs was designed – the PursuingPleasure (PP) program (Hucker, A. & McCabe, M, 2011). Twenty-six women completed the PP program, which included six online modules of CBT sex therapy techniques, as well as mindfulness exercises. Unlimited email contact was also available, and women participated in fortnightly online chat-groups.
Significant improvements in female sexual functioning were demonstrated by the treatment group as compared to a control group. Participant feedback suggested that the mindfulness exercises were viewed as one of the most effective components of the program and these results are consistent with prior research on mindfulness for FSDs. This paper will provide a summary of the PP study, but will largely focus on the incorporation of mindfulness into sex therapy practice, with some experiential exercises to demonstrate the use of mindfulness for FSDs.